When it comes to my sexual fantasies, I’m not one for flowery romances or fantasy settings – I’ve no time for Reginald’s quivering member, as it were. I’m more interested in filthy alleyways and public parks at night, live sex shows and more physical discipline than I would necessarily want in real life. The Mercy Of Strange Men delivers this to me in spades.

Whether Nicols has her characters picking up band members from the Old Bar in Fitzroy for late night whiskey-fuelled threeways or partaking in suburban voyeuristic wanking sessions, she understands how to pace a story to keep you reading as your arousal increases. There were a few times when the dialogue veered close to feeling a little forced, but on the whole it is natural and flowing and worth your while.

The Mercy of Strange Men (from where this collection takes its title) along with The Gospel of Sophie were definite highlights, whilst in Strap-On Sex is So Passe, clichéd drunken discussions of strap-on sex solicited laughter, leading into an exquisitely detailed one night stand.

You can buy your very own digital copy of The Mercy of Strange Men: Erotic Stories in several different formats over at Smashwords, and if you are in Melbourne next month, you can attend the launch of the book at Loop on Saturday 6 July and tell Nichols in person just how fab you think she is. Lord knows that is what I’ll be doing!